What’s Under Your Rug?

I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
— Luke 7:47

Years
ago there was a popular song with a catchy tune called “Don’t
Worry, Be Happy.” Its bright melody and simple message could almost
convince you that brushing all your worries under a rug and forcing a
smile could fill you with happiness.

But
true happiness doesn’t work like that. Instead, it’s bundled up
with gratitude.

Gratitude
is always a response. Gratitude depends not on ignoring what’s
going on in our lives, but in choosing to see and accept the deepest
reality about our existence. Jesus’ encounter with the woman “who
lived a sinful life” demonstrates this beautifully. You see, the
Phari­see had swept all of his sins under the rug of
self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. He chose to ignore the truth
of his bro­ken­ness and his deep need for forgiveness. His
ingratitude pro­duced a toxic bitterness that caused him to
completely miss the fact that the Savior of the world and of his soul
was standing right in front of him.

The
woman didn’t miss that. There could be no sweeping of sins under
the rug for her. Everyone seemed to know about them anyway. So,
acknowledging her brokenness and receiving the forgiveness Jesus
offers, her heart and her hands poured out her gratitude.

What’s
under your rug? What’s under mine? Let’s bring it out,
acknowledge it, and accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers.

Prayer

Lord, may we overflow with gratitude for your forgiveness of all our sins. In your name, Amen.